Opal: Sydney’s Transport Success Story

The Sydney Business Chamber said the announcement that the paper ticketing system would be phased out on public transport would make travel a more attractive offering to Sydneysiders and visitors.

Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of Sydney Business Chamber said, “With more than 70% of trips undertaken using an Opal card, the time is right to stop running two ticketing systems.

“The card encourages speed and efficiency across the network and has eliminated queuing and extended dwell time for buses.

“However, the clarity around the system is a challenge for first time visitors.

“Knowing where to purchase an Opal card and how to top it up remain challenges for many visitors who are not exposed to regular media information.

“It’s important to note that the Opal Card is the only one if its type throughout the world that doesn’t require passengers to pay a deposit”

“With such a strong take-up of the card, now is the time to make it work to its full capacity.

"We welcome the IPART review into the maximum fares for public transport to increase efficiency across the network and encourage passenger use.

“Opal is the key to an integrated fare structure and charging passengers on point to point basis rather than charging them each time they change transport modes is a missing element in the current system.

“We eagerly anticipate the upcoming IPART review into the maximum fares for public transport, to increase efficiency across the network and encourage passenger use.

“Opal delivery across Sydney’s transport network has been a great success story, it is the time to fine tune the system.